CJ Katureebe mourns Kikonyongo, reminds govt of unfulfilled pledges

Chief Justice Bart Katureebe leads other judicial officers to pay respects to the late deputy Chief Justice Leticia Kikonyogo who passed on last Thursday. Photo by Vincent Kasozi.

KAMPALA–Chief Justice Bart Katureebe regrets the fact that late former Deputy Chief Justice Leticia Kikonyogo has died without receiving her retirement benefits for the 39 years she served as a judicial officer.

Justice Kikonyogo passed on last Thursday at Nakasero hospital following a heart attack.

Justice Katureebe has for that matter reminded government to speed up fulfilling its promises it made to judicial officers.

“Two years ago, we went as judges to meet the President and one of the things we talked about is retirement benefits for judges…… it is sad that the promise has not been fulfilled because some other people in some other branch of government have other ideas,” he remarked.

Justice Katureebe was speaking at High Court grounds in Kampala as he led a team of judicial officers and lawyers to pay tribute to justice Kikonyogo.

The body of the late Kikonyogo lay in state at the Highcourt in Kampala today where all members of the Judiciary and those from the legal fraternity paid their last respects.

Justice Katureebe has eulogised Justice Kikonyogo as a mother, teacher and mentor who always guided young lawyers on how to go about their profession.

“I think she recognized that these robes that you put on, Shakespeare called them borrowed robes, today you have them, tomorrow you don’t. It is what you do that you leave behind that touches people,” Katureebe observed.

Several speakers from the Judiciary and legal fraternity have also eulogised justice Kikonyogo as a soft but firm woman who was passionate about women and children justice.

The Chief Registrar of the High Court, Paul Gadenya, noted that the passing on of the deputy chief justice is a matter that can galvanize the government to address issues that are a matter of concern to country. He highlighted the judiciary administration bill that is still pending.

Justice Kikonyogo’s soul will be prayed for at Lubaga cathedral tomorrow morning before she lays in State at Parliament.

Justice Kikonyogo becomes the first judicial officer to lie in state because of her long time service in the Judiciary where she served in various capacities.

Justice Kikonyogo was the first Grade One woman magistrate, first lady chief magistrate, first woman High Court judge and the first lady judge to be appointed to the Court of Appeal and supreme court as well as the first lady to become Deputy Chief Justice.